Council and police step up joint work to make Cathedral Square safer

Birmingham City Council is stepping up joint work with the police, business groups and support services to make Cathedral Square and the streets around it feel safer for the people who use them.

The square, around St Philip's Cathedral in the heart of the business district, is used by thousands of residents, workers and visitors every week, and is one of the few green spaces in that part of the city centre.

Enforcement and support together

The council's Community Safety team has joined officers from the police, the local business improvement districts and support organisations in a coordinated effort to tackle behaviour that affects residents, workers, visitors and businesses in the area.

The approach combines visible engagement on the ground, targeted enforcement where it is needed, and access to support services for vulnerable people. The council says the work responds directly to concerns raised by the local community, with the aim of keeping public spaces welcoming and accessible for everyone.

By bringing together agencies with different expertise, the partners hope to deal with the immediate problems in the area as well as the wider factors that can lead to anti-social behaviour.

"Our priority is making sure people feel comfortable, safe and welcome when spending time in the city centre," said Councillor Jane Baston, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Communities and Social Justice.

She said the partnership allowed "a balanced approach that combines enforcement with early intervention and support for those who need it", and that the council would keep listening to local concerns and respond alongside its partners.

Keep reporting

The council is asking members of the public and local businesses to continue reporting concerns. It says those reports help the partners build a clearer picture of what is happening and direct resources to where they are most needed.